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Delhi AQI Hits 461: Bhupender Yadav Explains Pollution and Weather Impact

In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav addresses the severe air quality levels in Delhi, responding to data showing AQI spiking to 461 in mid-December. Defending his previous statement that air quality had improved this year, Yadav argues that ‘till the day I gave this statement, AQI was not above 450’. He attributes the crisis to two main factors: ‘anthropocentric activity’ such as vehicular and industrial emissions, and adverse weather conditions in December. The Minister explains that while human activities release pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10, the lack of wind and specific meteorological conditions trap these gases, worsening the AQI.